Covering period of Monday 17th – Thursday 20th June – Unsettled weather continues to be the theme for New Zealand this week. MetService is forecasting a showery few days for eastern areas, while the story in the west is fine weather with gusty winds at times.
Wet weather continues over the lower North Island and northern South Island today, with scattered rain falling as snow as low as 800 metres in Marlborough, extending to the Canterbury High Country tonight. An Orange Road Snowfall Warning is in force for the Lewis Pass until late this afternoon, when southeasterly winds spread the rain further south into Canterbury.
“This southeasterly shift sets up the weather pattern for the next few days, driving patchy rain over eastern areas of both islands and keep a lid on daytime temperatures,” says MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of sun to be had. Fine breaks develop in western areas today and stick around through the rest of the working week. However, sustained easterly winds mean that while the weather is looking brighter, there could be a blustery couple of days in store for places like the West Coast, Tasman, Nelson and the Manawatū.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, patches of fog clear in the morning for Northland, Auckland and Waikato. A few showers spread over Northland and Auckland later in the day, affecting Northland until the next wave of wet weather this weekend.
“While it’s still a few days out, the weekend is looking on the wet side, especially for the North Island and upper South Island. With the potential of heavy rain for some of those areas, it would be a good idea to stay up to date with the latest forecast on MetService.com,” Wotherspoon advises.
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:
This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
Watches are about being alert:
When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan.
